Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 12, 2013 19:00:02 GMT -5
So if all goes well I will be heading to Moab, UT on 18 Jan to attend the Colorado Association of 4WD Clubs www.hightrails.org/ 1st Qtr meeting on the 19 Jan followed by a couple days of wheeling...then heading down US191 into Arizona to do some wheeling around Sadona (still looking at trail guides, etc.) and then back up to Hurricane, UT for Winter on the Rocks www.winterontherocks.com/ 25 - 26 Jan and then back home. I think the Jeep is good to go, just added Raceline Monster beadlocks, 37" BFG KM2, a Genright EXT tank and rear sway bar...my only concern is me...after driving the TJ for the first time after shoulder surgery, I am not quite ready to be shifting a 5-speed all day...back up plan is to use the '06 Unlimited (it's an automatic) and do some easier trails...
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Post by Halo Performance on Jan 13, 2013 10:18:11 GMT -5
I wouldn't push it too hard after the surgery. You dont want to have to go back for a second operation. Sounds like an amazing trip. Have fun!
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wonk
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Post by wonk on Jan 13, 2013 12:00:37 GMT -5
You going solo or are the girls going with you? We are in the planning stages of a trip to Windrock. This will be the shakedown trip for Byron's Bronco (David and Dewaine's other brother). Looks right now like it will be the weekend of April 13th. I would like to have the trailer I am planning on building ready for a road trial and use as my sleeping quarters for this trip. Money is tight right now though so we'll see. I'm sure you or any others interested could be included in the list if interested. Just let me know.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 14, 2013 21:06:56 GMT -5
Just me for this one...I thought about taking Erin, but she would be bored to death at the CO Association meeting and 10 days on the road is a bit much for her...she does well on long weekends...have the same issue with taking Cane, unless camping it is hard to find pet friendly motels....I am planning to take it easy and may do some fun easy trails for this shake down cruise. Send details of the trip and the trailer when you get them.
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Post by neil on Jan 15, 2013 6:20:03 GMT -5
How old is Erin now? I couldn't remember if she is the same age as Abigail or close to it. Abigail will be 5 in June. She loves going with me four-wheeling. She cried when we had to head home.
Wonk....where is Windrock at? The trailer plan I assume is to be towed behind the jeep?
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 15, 2013 13:33:04 GMT -5
Neil, Erin will by five in August, so a couple months younger...just got her a new booster seat with a five point harness...tried to rig up a set up from Corbeau, but couldn't find an anchor point that worked...her booster seat in the Honda works with just the seat belt, but Stephanie didn't like that for the Jeep...
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wonk
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Post by wonk on Jan 15, 2013 19:26:30 GMT -5
How old is Erin now? I couldn't remember if she is the same age as Abigail or close to it. Abigail will be 5 in June. She loves going with me four-wheeling. She cried when we had to head home. Wonk....where is Windrock at? The trailer plan I assume is to be towed behind the jeep? Oliver Springs Tenn. www.windrockpark.comYes, the trailer is for behind the JK. Deb and I are leaning more toward doing some Expedition type wheeling and I want to do a small offroad trailer with a rooftop tent etc. We really want to get out west and hope that Brian can be trail guide around his neck of the woods. ;D
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Post by neil on Jan 16, 2013 6:14:30 GMT -5
I totally understand the wife's thinking...... I had to pretty much tell mine I was taking Abigail, like it or not, and that I wasn't going to do anything to jepordize her safety.It all worked out I thought the girls were really close in age.....I'm still mad that the gifts I had sent were dropped at the wrong house way back when. Wonk, that looks like a nice place. Curious about the trails. They don't have any pics there on that site. I like the trailer idea too, but I don't think the CJ will ever see the road legaly again , but I agree with Brian tour guiding a trip! I'll have to put the trailer off till later....to drag behind the cherokee.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 29, 2013 1:13:14 GMT -5
Well the trip went well...Moab was cold, -6 on Saturday, 0 on Sunday and -2 on Monday...never got above freezing but the Sun was out so it made for some good wheeling and the cold help us with traction as the trails all had snow on them...then headed down the eastern part of Utah past Canyonlands, Natural Bridges, Monument Valley, ended up on the Navajo Reservation in N. Arizona. Did some trails in Tonto National Forrest and then into Phoenix to visit a friend. On the way back up to Utah I did not go to Sedona, but to Prescott and spent several hours with the owner of Adventure Trailers www.adventuretrailers.com/ and then went next door and chatted with the folks at the "Overland Journal" and then headed up to Hurricane for Winter on the Rocks....weather turned cold and wet there too, but the rain stopped before we actually hit the trails, but they were slick. Ended up leaving a day early because of a major winter storm that was moving in and I had to be back with out fail for a meeting earlier today. So I missed the last day of wheeling and dinner, raffle, etc., but I made the rigght choice as the 12 hour drive took over 18, mostly due to fog, but also snow and ice on the roads.... Be happy to trail guide you anytime, but the end of July is All 4 Fun www.mhjc.org/ which is the biggest event in Colorado and a great time which would be worth the trip fo any of you!
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Post by Halo Performance on Jan 29, 2013 9:56:10 GMT -5
Sounds great. Cold, but great.... photos? Or did no one want to take pictures at -6?
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wonk
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Post by wonk on Jan 29, 2013 18:03:54 GMT -5
So, did you order up a new Chaser? Spill the interesting info you gleaned.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 29, 2013 22:16:36 GMT -5
www.adventuretrailers.com/suspension.html Read the info at the link above....but to sum it up, the earlier axles set up would shake the trailers apart on wash board dirt roads...also the independent suspension still performs well off road. Showed me their new hot water heater for the shower system, their electric brakes set up that is tied to an inertia system (like an air bag in a car is) that will employ the brakes automatically...I already am using the Max Coupler that is actually made by Kilby...there are is only two companies in the world that make quality tent fabric and neither are in China so any tent that use fabric or tents made in China stay away from...one reason they use Eezi Awn is their quality. The Chaser is bolted together, so if you damage it off roading, you can remove, repair or replace the damaged section, the Horizon has a one piece tub, both frames have been engineered not to deform or flex so there is no issue with slides, doors, lids, etc not fitting or seal leaking...just a very impressive set up...an because of what I do for a living we had a chance to talk about some special projects he has done and is working on...so I wasn't the only one who learned a thing or two...oh and the guys at Overland Journal have a real, Egyptian made Jeep J8, 2.8L CRD, Dana 60 rear, the whole military spec set up...
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 29, 2013 22:24:42 GMT -5
www.timbren.com/axle-less1.htmThis is the axle he recommended for me to look at...similar to his design and he has used them on some special light weight builds...he didn't rule out selling me his, but there are some other issues, like re-inforcing my trailer frame, tire clearance, wheel and tire choices, etc.
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Post by neil on Jan 30, 2013 6:36:34 GMT -5
That's pretty cool. nice and compact
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 30, 2013 10:43:02 GMT -5
Looking on the E-Trailer page, Timbren offers a set up where the measurement for "B" in 7.5"....now "B" is the drop down distance from the frame to the spindle, which with no load puts the top of a 15" wheel even with the frame, so I am thinking I just need to measure up from there to determine what size tire will clear...and the hubs are 5x4.5 so the same as a TJ, but also need to check back spacing.
Neil, question for you is, I want to add an e-brake (cable actuated to lock the wheels when the trailer is off the Jeep), so do I need hubs that come with electric brakes or go to find a set of rear TJ hubs? Or am I over thinking this?
My other option is just to go with a Dexter solid axle, 5x4.5 hubs and I can order it any width, but I still have the brake question. The 3,500lbs axles come with electric brakes, where the 2,000lbs versions do not on either set up.
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